Report from Speaker's office on Va. E cig ban

[Storyspinr]

I heard back from the House Speaker's office on the inclusion of e cigs in the Virginia smoking ban and the news is not good (but not all bad, either).

According to the Speaker's office, the Health Department had extensive discussions with the Virginia Attorney General's office, did "research" on the e cig, and the AG's office ruled the e cig did meet the definition of "smoke" and "smoking".

It was clear the Speaker's office is going to do nothing about the problem, and the woman I spoke with said it was unlikely the legislature would address the issue. Here are her comments and a few of my responses (bearing in mind my comments to her have no impact since they will do nothing about the situation, other than perhaps her relaying that information to the Speaker):

The AG's reasoning on e cigs meeting the definition "smoke" and "smoking" was that the e cig vapor was not just water vapor, but also contains chemicals (she didn't say what chemicals and I got the impression she didn't know).

My response, in part: the scientific definition of "smoke" refers to BURNING organic material which produces residue/soot. Vapor does not meet that definition.

They supposedly did "a lot" of research on the e cig, including looking at e cig websites (now there's a good source!), talking to a physician (?), looking at "dewpoints" (don't ask me what that has to do with the price of eggs, other than when something vaporizes), and, here's the best part - "based on what the FDA said about the vapor". I told her the FDA never tested the vapor, they only tested the cartridges. She had no response to that.

She said "the kicker" was the FDA report.

Now the good news: the person at the Health Department who is spearheading the smoking ban told her they were willing to reinterpret the law if evidence to the contrary of their research can be presented.

I am in process of putting together a package which will contain, so far, statements from Dr. Siegel demolishing the FDA report which includes the Exponent review of the FDA report, the New Zealand studies (whenever I can find them), and....whatever else those on this forum can come up with/suggest.

The bottom line is that the Speaker's office felt the Health Department had the authority to ban e cigs based on their responsibility to oversee Virginia Health Codes for restaurants. However, it seems their research was a bit sloppy and one-sided. I believe the acting AG is an anti-smoker who supported the ban. The incoming AG, who will take office in mid-January, voted against the ban. The woman said another tactic we can use is to request a ruling from the Attorney General's office, based on evidence we can present, but I have no intention of doing that until the new AG takes over in January.

 

[oldlady]

Dear Storyspinr,

Excellent work. Your efforts should at least slow down implementation of the FAQ.

Also, the fact that the Health Department has signified a willingness to listen to reason is a very positive sign.

Your list of sources sounds good. You may also want to include the American Association of Physicians' attack on the FDA--which straight out accuses the FDA of taking a "self interested" and decidedly unscientific approach. I believe there is a report by a Professor at the University of Alberta that includes an analysis of vapor. Bob Godshall's letter to the anti-smoke Nazis in Marion County is also really compelling. You may be able to find the links by searching the forum. Let me know if you want me to do that.

You are wise to delay requesting a ruling by the Attorney General until a more sensible one is put in office.

Please let me know whether there is anything I can do to help.

 

[Guineahill]

Thank you very much for taking action on our behalf. I believe that your decision to wait for the new AG in January is a good one.

 

[oldlady]

Dear Storyspnr,

I just "spammed" the NJ Senators with the following links:

The position recently taken by the American Association of Public Health Physicians on this topic.

American Association of Public Health Physicians writes on behalf of Electronic Cigarettes to the Incoming Director of the FDA | Electronic Cigarettes by Instead E-Cigarette

Some recent reports by Dr. Michael Seigel, a specialist in preventive medicine and public health at the Boston University School of Public Health

The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary


Hope these help!

 

[cruisedoc]

Keep in mind, or let those in Va. know that many people use VG and it is on the increase. When VG vaporizes, the emision is predominantly water vapor. Chemicals, well there are traces of nicotine & food flavorings. The nic level in exhaled vapor is completely insignificant.

 

[yvilla]

Storyspinr, to add to Oldlady's suggestion, I think Dr. Nitzkin and Bill Godshall will surely be willing to contact the VA. Dept. of Health directly as well - they have been active on much the same issue as pending in New Jersey, and in Indiana (but there on a countywide basis only as of yet). Did you see Bill's posts in the Indiana thread with letters sent from him and Dr. Nitzkin? Here they are: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...marion-county-have-ecig-ban-2.html#post775900

I urge you to contact them, perhaps you could PM Bill here.

 

[Mac]

Excellent work! I will do some more research and see if I have anything I can add.

 

[Vocalek]

Well, for what it is worth, I wrote to Mr. Hagy and sent copies to both my Delegate, Dave Albo and my Senator, Ken Cuccinelli. Mr. C also happens to be the AG-elect.

I'd post a copy of what I wrote, but I am having trouble getting through to my Yahoo mailbox this evening. Basically, I pointed out that the VDH misreading of the law was going to result in the prevention of smoking cessation, which is antithetical to the agency's mission.

 

[Vocalek]

I am in process of putting together a package which will contain, so far, statements from Dr. Siegel demolishing the FDA report which includes the Exponent review of the FDA report, the New Zealand studies (whenever I can find them), and....whatever else those on this forum can come up with/suggest.

You can download a copy of HNZ's 23-page report here: http://www.healthnz.co.nz/RuyanCartridgeReport30-Oct-08.pdf

 

[Storyspinr]

Oldlady and Yvilla, you have both saved me some work. I was going to track down the letters to Marion County, Indiana, from Bill Godshall and Dr. Nitzkin. I also thought about asking them to write to Mr. Hagy.

Vocalek, sending a letter to Cuccinelli should prove very interesting, since he will be taking over as AG in January. His support could by itself completely change the status of e cigs since Hagy depended upon a ruling from the current AG for his decision.

I found the New Zealand study on cartridges and printed it out. I had thought they did one explicitly on the exhaled vapor, but it might just be what is included in the 23-page report.

I also printed out numerous pages from Dr. Siegel's August blog, where he had written quite a bit about e cigs. I will continue to search through his blogs for pertinent information and may try contacting him, also.

It is interesting to note the woman in Howell's office told me the Health Department had first become "aware" of e cigs in September. That is remarkably close to the time Banzhaf sent his letter to all the state AG's demanding they ban e cigs. Coincidence? I have my doubts.

Once I have the material together, I will contact Mr. Hagy and ask him what information they used to develop their ruling. If he will provide it, it will help me understand what data they relied upon to come up with such an erroneous ruling. I do know the FDA report was "the kicker", and we know Siegel and others have thoroughly debunked that report.

Of course, a lot rides on the FDA/SE ruling which, the last time I checked, still had not been published by the judge. Very, very strange.....

I truly appreciate all your help! Having a number of us working on it makes it clear to Hagy and others that I am not acting alone, but that there are many of us in Virginia who are greatly upset by this decision.

 

[Mac]

here is a side by side comparison of ingrediants (taken from getvapure.com) Maybe this will help:

In the vapor:

*Pure Water


*Orient Tobacco Absolute
Natural from Tobacco (absolute is from liquid extraction)

*Tobacco Flavor Essence
Natural from Tobacco

*Propylene Glycol
Used in theatrical fog machines and as a moisturizer in food

*Methyl Butyric Acid
Natural and Kosher food flavoring

*Linalool
Natural and Kosher food flavoring

*Tobacco Essential Oil
Natural from Tobacco (essential oil is from steam distillation)

*Rose Oil
Essential oil from rose petals

*Beta Ionone
Natural and Kosher food flavoring

*Glycerol
Commercial food-grade sugar/sweetener

*Vanilla Extract
Natural from vanilla beans

*Acetylpyrazine
Natural and Kosher food flavoring (Chocolate)

*Dimethylpyrazine
Natural and Kosher food flavoring (Coco, roasted nuts)

*Ethylpyrazine
Natural and Kosher food flavoring (Popcorn)

*Trimethylpyrazine
Natural and Kosher food flavoring (Nutty)

*Beta-Damascenone
Natural and Kosher food flavoring (Berry)



It's Your Choice...

Tobacco Cigarette Ingredients

• Acetanisole
• Acetic Acid
• Acetoin
• Acetophenone
• 6-Acetoxydihydrotheaspirane
• 2-Acetyl-3- Ethylpyrazine
• 2-Acetyl-5-Methylfuran
• Acetylpyrazine
• 2-Acetylpyridine
• 3-Acetylpyridine
• 2-Acetylthiazole
• Aconitic Acid
• dl-Alanine
• Alfalfa Extract
• Allspice Extract,Oleoresin, and Oil
• Allyl Hexanoate
• Allyl Ionone
• Almond Bitter Oil
• Ambergris Tincture
• Ammonia
• Ammonium Bicarbonate
• Ammonium Hydroxide
• Ammonium Phosphate Dibasic
• Ammonium Sulfide
• Amyl Alcohol
• Amyl Butyrate
• Amyl Formate
• Amyl Octanoate
• alpha-Amylcinnamaldehyde
• Amyris Oil
• trans-Anethole
• Angelica Root Extract, Oil and Seed Oil
• Anise
• Anise Star, Extract and Oils
• Anisyl Acetate
• Anisyl Alcohol
• Anisyl Formate
• Anisyl Phenylacetate
• Apple Juice Concentrate, Extract, and Skins
• Apricot Extract and Juice Concentrate
• 1-Arginine
• Asafetida Fluid Extract And Oil
• Ascorbic Acid
• 1-Asparagine Monohydrate
• 1-Aspartic Acid
• Balsam Peru and Oil
• Basil Oil
• Bay Leaf, Oil and Sweet Oil
• Beeswax White
• Beet Juice Concentrate
• Benzaldehyde
• Benzaldehyde Glyceryl Acetal
• Benzoic Acid, Benzoin
• Benzoin Resin
• Benzophenone
• Benzyl Alcohol
• Benzyl Benzoate
• Benzyl Butyrate
• Benzyl Cinnamate
• Benzyl Propionate
• Benzyl Salicylate
• Bergamot Oil
• Bisabolene
• Black Currant Buds Absolute
• Borneol
• Bornyl Acetate
• Buchu Leaf Oil
• 1,3-Butanediol
• 2,3-Butanedione
• 1-Butanol
• 2-Butanone
• 4(2-Butenylidene)-3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-One
• Butter, Butter Esters, and Butter Oil
• Butyl Acetate
• Butyl Butyrate
• Butyl Butyryl Lactate
• Butyl Isovalerate
• Butyl Phenylacetate
• Butyl Undecylenate
• 3-Butylidenephthalide
• Butyric Acid]
• Cadinene
• Caffeine
• Calcium Carbonate
• Camphene
• Cananga Oil
• Capsicum Oleoresin
• Caramel Color
• Caraway Oil
• Carbon Dioxide
• Cardamom Oleoresin, Extract, Seed Oil, and Powder
• Carob Bean and Extract
• beta-Carotene
• Carrot Oil
• Carvacrol
• 4-Carvomenthenol
• 1-Carvone
• beta-Caryophyllene
• beta-Caryophyllene Oxide
• Cascarilla Oil and Bark Extract
• Cassia Bark Oil
• Cassie Absolute and Oil
• Castoreum Extract, Tincture and Absolute
• Cedar Leaf Oil
• Cedarwood Oil Terpenes and Virginiana
• Cedrol
• Celery Seed Extract, Solid, Oil, And Oleoresin
• Cellulose Fiber
• Chamomile Flower Oil And Extract
• Chicory Extract
• Chocolate
• Cinnamaldehyde
• Cinnamic Acid
• Cinnamon Leaf Oil, Bark Oil, and Extract
• Cinnamyl Acetate
• Cinnamyl Alcohol
• Cinnamyl Cinnamate
• Cinnamyl Isovalerate
• Cinnamyl Propionate
• Citral
• Citric Acid
• Citronella Oil
• dl-Citronellol
• Citronellyl Butyrate
• itronellyl Isobutyrate
• Civet Absolute
• Clary Oil
• Clover Tops, Red Solid Extract
• Cocoa
• Cocoa Shells, Extract, Distillate And Powder
• Coconut Oil
• Coffee
• Cognac White and Green Oil
• Copaiba Oil
• Coriander Extract and Oil
• Corn Oil
• Corn Silk
• Costus Root Oil
• Cubeb Oil
• Cuminaldehyde
• para-Cymene
• 1-Cysteine Dandelion Root Solid Extract
• Davana Oil
• 2-trans, 4-trans-Decadienal
• delta-Decalactone
• gamma-Decalactone
• Decanal
• Decanoic Acid
• 1-Decanol
• 2-Decenal
• Dehydromenthofurolactone
• Diethyl Malonate
• Diethyl Sebacate
• 2,3-Diethylpyrazine
• Dihydro Anethole
• 5,7-Dihydro-2-Methylthieno(3,4-D) Pyrimidine
• Dill Seed Oil and Extract
• meta-Dimethoxybenzene
• para-Dimethoxybenzene
• 2,6-Dimethoxyphenol
• Dimethyl Succinate
• 3,4-Dimethyl-1,2 Cyclopentanedione
• 3,5- Dimethyl-1,2-Cyclopentanedione
• 3,7-Dimethyl-1,3,6-Octatriene
• 4,5-Dimethyl-3-Hydroxy-2,5-
Dihydrofuran-2-One
• 6,10-Dimethyl-5,9-Undecadien-
2-One
• 3,7-Dimethyl-6-Octenoic Acid
• 2,4 Dimethylacetophenone
• alpha,para-Dimethylbenzyl Alcohol
• alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl Acetate
• alpha,alpha Dimethylphenethyl Butyrate
• 2,3-Dimethylpyrazine
• 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine
• 2,6-Dimethylpyrazine
• Dimethyltetrahydrobenzofuranone
• delta-Dodecalactone
• gamma-Dodecalactone
• para-Ethoxybenzaldehyde
• Ethyl 10-Undecenoate
• Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate
• Ethyl Acetate
• Ethyl Acetoacetate
• Ethyl Alcohol
• Ethyl Benzoate
• Ethyl Butyrate
• Ethyl Cinnamate
• Ethyl Decanoate
• Ethyl Fenchol
• Ethyl Furoate
• Ethyl Heptanoate
• Ethyl Hexanoate
• Ethyl Isovalerate
• Ethyl Lactate
• Ethyl Laurate
• Ethyl Levulinate
• Ethyl Maltol
• Ethyl Methyl Phenylglycidate
• Ethyl Myristate
• Ethyl Nonanoate
• Ethyl Octadecanoate
• Ethyl Octanoate
• Ethyl Oleate
• Ethyl Palmitate
• Ethyl Phenylacetate
• Ethyl Propionate
• Ethyl Salicylate
• Ethyl trans-2-Butenoate
• Ethyl Valerate
• Ethyl Vanillin
• 2-Ethyl (or Methyl)-(3,5 and 6)-Methoxypyrazine
• 2-Ethyl-1-Hexanol, 3-Ethyl -2 -
Hydroxy-2-Cyclopenten-1-One
• 2-Ethyl-3, (5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine
• 5-Ethyl-3-Hydroxy-4-Methyl-2 (5H)-Furanone
• 2-Ethyl-3-Methylpyrazine
• 4-Ethylbenzaldehyde
• 4-Ethylguaiacol
• para-Ethylphenol
• 3-Ethylpyridine
• Eucalyptol
• Farnesol
• D-Fenchone
• Fennel Sweet Oil
• Fenugreek, Extract, Resin, and Absolute
• Fig Juice Concentrate
• Food Starch Modified
• Furfuryl Mercaptan
• 4-(2-Furyl)-3-Buten-2-One
• Galbanum Oil
• Genet Absolute
• Gentian Root Extract
• Geraniol
• Geranium Rose Oil
• Geranyl Acetate
• Geranyl Butyrate
• Geranyl Formate
• Geranyl Isovalerate
• Geranyl Phenylacetate
• Ginger Oil and Oleoresin
• 1-Glutamic Acid
• 1-Glutamine
• Glycerol
• Glycyrrhizin Ammoniated
• Grape Juice Concentrate
• Guaiac Wood Oil
• Guaiacol
• Guar Gum
• 2,4-Heptadienal
• gamma-Heptalactone
• Heptanoic Acid
• 2-Heptanone
• 3-Hepten-2-One
• 2-Hepten-4-One
• 4-Heptenal
• trans -2-Heptenal
• Heptyl Acetate
• omega-6-Hexadecenlactone
• gamma-Hexalactone
• Hexanal
• Hexanoic Acid
• 2-Hexen-1-Ol
• 3-Hexen-1-Ol
• cis-3-Hexen-1-Yl Acetate
• 2-Hexenal
• 3-Hexenoic Acid
• trans-2-Hexenoic Acid
• cis-3-Hexenyl Formate
• Hexyl 2-Methylbutyrate
• Hexyl Acetate
• Hexyl Alcohol
• Hexyl Phenylacetate
• 1-Histidine
• Honey
• Hops Oil
• Hydrolyzed Milk Solids
• Hydrolyzed Plant Proteins
• 5-Hydroxy-2,4-Decadienoic Acid delta-Lactone
• 4-Hydroxy-2,5-Dimethyl-3(2H)-Furanone
• 2-Hydroxy-3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-One
• 4-Hydroxy -3-Pentenoic Acid Lactone
• 2-Hydroxy-4-Methylbenzaldehyde
• 4-Hydroxybutanoic Acid Lactone
• Hydroxycitronellal
• 6-Hydroxydihydrotheaspirane
• 4-(para-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-Butanone
• Hyssop Oil
• Immortelle Absolute and Extract
• alpha-Ionone
• beta-Ionone
• alpha-Irone
• Isoamyl Acetate
• Isoamyl Benzoate
• Isoamyl Butyrate
• Isoamyl Cinnamate
• Isoamyl Formate, IsoamylHexanoate
• Isoamyl Isovalerate
• Isoamyl Octanoate
• Isoamyl Phenylacetate
• Isobornyl Acetate
• Isobutyl Acetate
• Isobutyl Alcohol
• Isobutyl Cinnamate
• Isobutyl Phenylacetate
• Isobutyl Salicylate
• 2-Isobutyl-3-Methoxypyrazine
• alpha-Isobutylphenethyl Alcohol
• Isobutyraldehyde
• Isobutyric Acid
• d,l-Isoleucine
• alpha-Isomethylionone
• 2-Isopropylphenol
• Isovaleric Acid
• Jasmine Absolute, Concrete and Oil
• Kola Nut Extract
• Labdanum Absolute and Oleoresin
• Lactic Acid
• Lauric Acid
• Lauric Aldehyde
• Lavandin Oil
• Lavender Oil
• Lemon Oil and Extract
• Lemongrass Oil
• 1-Leucine
• Levulinic Acid
• Licorice Root, Fluid, Extract
and Powder
• Lime Oil
• Linalool
• Linalool Oxide
• Linalyl Acetate
• Linden Flowers
• Lovage Oil And Extract
• 1-Lysine]
• Mace Powder, Extract and Oil
• Magnesium Carbonate
• Malic Acid
• Malt and Malt Extract
• Maltodextrin
• Maltol
• Maltyl Isobutyrate
• Mandarin Oil
• Maple Syrup and Concentrate
• Mate Leaf, Absolute and Oil
• para-Mentha-8-Thiol-3-One
• Menthol
• Menthone
• Menthyl Acetate
• dl-Methionine
• Methoprene
• 2-Methoxy-4-Methylphenol
• 2-Methoxy-4-Vinylphenol
• para-Methoxybenzaldehyde
• 1-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-1-Penten-3-One
• 4-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Butanone
• 1-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Propanone
• Methoxypyrazine
• Methyl 2-Furoate
• Methyl 2-Octynoate
• Methyl 2-Pyrrolyl Ketone
• Methyl Anisate
• Methyl Anthranilate
• Methyl Benzoate
• Methyl Cinnamate
• Methyl Dihydrojasmonate
• Methyl Ester of Rosin, Partially Hydrogenated
• Methyl Isovalerate
• Methyl Linoleate (48%)
• Methyl Linolenate (52%) Mixture
• Methyl Naphthyl Ketone
• Methyl Nicotinate
• Methyl Phenylacetate
• Methyl Salicylate
• Methyl Sulfide
• 3-Methyl-1-Cyclopentadecanone
• 4-Methyl-1-Phenyl-2-Pentanone
• 5-Methyl-2-Phenyl-2-Hexenal
• 5-Methyl-2-Thiophene-carboxaldehyde
• 6-Methyl-3,-5-Heptadien-2-One
• 2-Methyl-3-(para-Isopropylphenyl) Propionaldehyde
• 5-Methyl-3-Hexen-2-One
• 1-Methyl-3Methoxy-4-Isopropylbenzene
• 4-Methyl-3-Pentene-2-One
• 2-Methyl-4-Phenylbutyraldehyde
• 6-Methyl-5-Hepten-2-One
• 4-Methyl-5-Thiazoleethanol
• 4-Methyl-5-Vinylthiazole
• Methyl-alpha-Ionone
• Methyl-trans-2-Butenoic Acid
• 4-Methylacetophenone
• para-Methylanisole
• alpha-Methylbenzyl Acetate
• alpha-Methylbenzyl Alcohol
• 2-Methylbutyraldehyde
• 3-Methylbutyraldehyde
• 2-Methylbutyric Acid
• alpha-Methylcinnamaldehyde
• Methylcyclopentenolone
• 2-Methylheptanoic Acid
• 2-Methylhexanoic Acid
• 3-Methylpentanoic Acid
• 4-Methylpentanoic Acid
• 2-Methylpyrazine
• 5-Methylquinoxaline
• 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran-3-One
• (Methylthio)Methylpyrazine (Mixture Of Isomers)
• 3-Methylthiopropionaldehyde
• Methyl 3-Methylthiopropionate
• 2-Methylvaleric Acid
• Mimosa Absolute and Extract
• Molasses Extract and Tincture
• Mountain Maple Solid Extract
• Mullein Flowers
• Myristaldehyde
• Myristic Acid
• Myrrh Oil
• beta-Napthyl Ethyl Ether
• Nerol
• Neroli Bigarde Oil
• Nerolidol
• Nona-2-trans,6-cis-Dienal
• 2,6-Nonadien-1-Ol
• gamma-Nonalactone
• Nonanal
• Nonanoic Acid
• Nonanone
• trans-2-Nonen-1-Ol
• 2-Nonenal
• Nonyl Acetate
• Nutmeg Powder and Oil
• Oak Chips Extract and Oil
• Oak Moss Absolute
• 9,12-Octadecadienoic Acid (48%)
And 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic Acid (52%)
• delta-Octalactone
• gamma-Octalactone
• Octanal
• Octanoic Acid
• 1-Octanol
• 2-Octanone
• 3-Octen-2-One
• 1-Octen-3-Ol
• 1-Octen-3-Yl Acetate
• 2-Octenal
• Octyl Isobutyrate
• Oleic Acid
• Olibanum Oil
• Opoponax Oil And Gum
• Orange Blossoms Water, Absolute, and Leaf Absolute
• Orange Oil and Extract
• Origanum Oil
• Orris Concrete Oil and Root
Extract
• Palmarosa Oil
• Palmitic Acid
• Parsley Seed Oil
• Patchouli Oil
• omega-Pentadecalactone
• 2,3-Pentanedione
• 2-Pentanone
• 4-Pentenoic Acid
• 2-Pentylpyridine
• Pepper Oil, Black And White
• Peppermint Oil
• Peruvian (Bois De Rose) Oil
• Petitgrain Absolute, Mandarin Oil and Terpeneless Oil
• alpha-Phellandrene
• 2-Phenenthyl Acetate
• Phenenthyl Alcohol
• Phenethyl Butyrate
• Phenethyl Cinnamate
• Phenethyl Isobutyrate
• Phenethyl Isovalerate
• Phenethyl Phenylacetate
• Phenethyl Salicylate
• 1-Phenyl-1-Propanol
• 3-Phenyl-1-Propanol
• 2-Phenyl-2-Butenal
• 4-Phenyl-3-Buten-2-Ol
• 4-Phenyl-3-Buten-2-One
• Phenylacetaldehyde
• Phenylacetic Acid
• 1-Phenylalanine
• 3-Phenylpropionaldehyde
• 3-Phenylpropionic Acid
• 3-Phenylpropyl Acetate
• 3-Phenylpropyl Cinnamate
• 2-(3-Phenylpropyl)Tetrahydrofuran
• Phosphoric Acid
• Pimenta Leaf Oil
• Pine Needle Oil, Pine Oil, Scotch
• Pineapple Juice Concentrate
• alpha-Pinene, beta-Pinene
• D-Piperitone
• Piperonal
• Pipsissewa Leaf Extract
• Plum Juice
• Potassium Sorbate
• 1-Proline
• Propenylguaethol
• Propionic Acid
• Propyl Acetate
• Propyl para-Hydroxybenzoate
• Propylene Glycol
• 3-Propylidenephthalide
• Prune Juice and Concentrate
• Pyridine
• Pyroligneous Acid And Extract
• Pyrrole
• Pyruvic Acid
• Raisin Juice Concentrate
• Rhodinol
• Rose Absolute and Oil
• Rosemary Oil
• Rum
• Rum Ether
• Rye Extract
• Sage, Sage Oil, and Sage
Oleoresin
• Salicylaldehyde
• Sandalwood Oil, Yellow
• Sclareolide
• Skatole
• Smoke Flavor
• Snakeroot Oil
• Sodium Acetate
• Sodium Benzoate
• Sodium Bicarbonate
• Sodium Carbonate
• Sodium Chloride
• Sodium Citrate
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Solanone
• Spearmint Oil
• Styrax Extract, Gum and Oil
• Sucrose Octaacetate
• Sugar Alcohols
• Sugars
• Tagetes Oil
• Tannic Acid
• Tartaric Acid
• Tea Leaf and Absolute
• alpha-Terpineol
• Terpinolene
• Terpinyl Acetate
• 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroquinoxaline
• 1,5,5,9-Tetramethyl-13-Oxatricyclo(8.3.0.0(4,9))Tridecane
• 2,3,4,5, and 3,4,5,6-
Tetramethylethyl-Cyclohexanone
• 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine
• Thiamine Hydrochloride
• Thiazole
• 1-Threonine
• Thyme Oil, White and Red
• Thymol
• Tobacco Extracts
• Tochopherols (mixed)
• Tolu Balsam Gum and Extract
• Tolualdehydes
• para-Tolyl 3-Methylbutyrate
• para-Tolyl Acetaldehyde
• para-Tolyl Acetate
• para-Tolyl Isobutyrate
• para-Tolyl Phenylacetate
• Triacetin
• 2-Tridecanone
• 2-Tridecenal
• Triethyl Citrate
• 3,5,5-Trimethyl -1-Hexanol
• para,alpha,alpha-Trimethylbenzyl Alcohol
• 4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-1-
Enyl)But-2-En-4-One
• 2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-2-
Ene-1,4-Dione
• 2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,
3-Dienyl Methan
• 4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,
3-Dienyl)But-2-En-4-One
• 2,2,6-Trimethylcyclohexanone
• 2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine
• 1-Tyrosine
• delta-Undercalactone
• gamma-Undecalactone
• Undecanal
• 2-Undecanone, 1
• 0-Undecenal
• Urea
• Valencene
• Valeraldehyde
• Valerian Root Extract, Oil
and Powder
• Valeric Acid
• gamma-Valerolactone
• Valine
• Vanilla Extract And Oleoresin
• Vanillin
• Veratraldehyde
• Vetiver Oil
• Vinegar
• Violet Leaf Absolute
• Walnut Hull Extract
• Water
• Wheat Extract And Flour
• Wild Cherry Bark Extract
• Wine and Wine Sherry
• Xanthan Gum
• 3,4-Xylenol
• Yeast

 

[oldlady]

You sure you didn't miss any?

 

[Mac]

You sure you didn't miss any?

No, in fact I am pretty sure i did miss several. The tobacco companies also add proprietary flavorings and chemicals that create a brand specific addiction. Unfortunately I can't list them as I do not know what they are. I think that's most of them though.

 

[Vocalek]

Yahoo mail is finally back. Text of email sent Tuesday night. I borrowed an important idea from one of Kristin's messages (sending us out to the smoking area endangers out health.) Note, "district37" is the email address for Sen. Cuccinelli. Wonder how often Mr. Hagy receives an email with footnotes....

To: gary.hagy[at]vdh.virginia.gov
Cc: davealbo[at]aol.com; district37[at]senate.virginia.gov

It would appear that the Virginia Department of Health is working to prevent smoking cessation.


Thousands of Americans have quit smoking for good by substituting vaporized nicotine from an electronic cigarette for the smoke that comes out of tobacco cigarettes. You can read the comments of more than 13,000 people at the Electronic Cigarette Petition site. [1]


Some recurring themes: "I tried to quit many times in many ways." "I feel much better and my blood pressure has gone down." "As a former smoker I cannot help but express pure joy over the e-cigarette." "I can run now and swim without a coughing fit."

A survey of e-cigarette users conducted several months ago by the University of Alberta showed that 79% have completely stopped smoking tobacco. [2] An ongoing survery that has been responded to by over 1200 users to date puts the total cessation rate at 81%. [3] In contrast, the FDA-approved nicotine "replacement" products have a 10% success rate.

We now have a product that is 800% more effective than the recommended treatments. We have an opportunity to take advantage of the existing bans on real smoke to convert a sizeable number of smokers from real cigarettes to this 99% safer product. [4]

By implementing an unauthorized, illegitimate ban on indoor use of e-cigarettes, the Virginia Department of Health is squandering an unprecedented public health opportunity. If continuing smokers have the opportunity to see electronic cigarettes used in public, thousands more Virginians will become curious, give it a try, and 80% of them will stop inhaling tobacco smoke.

The Virginia General Assembly did not authorize VDH to ban electronic cigarettes. The law is quite clear:

[FONT=times new roman, new york, times, serif]"Smoke" or "smoking" means the carrying or holding of any lighted pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind, or any other lighted smoking equipment, or the lighting, inhaling, or exhaling of smoke from a pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind

The purpose of the legislation is to protect indoor air quality. Electronic cigarettes do not present a threat to clean indoor air. They are not set on fire ("lighted"). They do not emit smoke. The small amount of vapor exhaled by users is harmless to bystanders. [5]

By requiring electronic cigarette users to move into smoking-only areas or be outside with other smokers, you are not doing anything to protect Virginia citizens, as they were never in any danger in the first place. In fact, you are placing former smokers who are e-cigarette users directly into the path of the smoke that they are trying to get away from.

The Virginia Department of Public Health needs to correct the information on http://www.vdh.state.va.us/breatheeasy/faqs.htm to state that electronic cigarettes are not included in the law as written by the Virginia General Assembly. Taking this corrective action will save the lives and health of thousands of Virginia citizens. [6]


<my name, address & phone>


References:
1. Electronic Cigarette Petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/keep-life-saving-electronic-cigarettes-available
2. University of Alberta survey: http://www.tobaccoharmreduction.org/wpapers/011v1.pdf
3. E-cig Success Rate survey: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/quitting/6470-e-cig-success-rate.html
4. Comparison of Carcinogen Levels Shows that Electronic Cigarettes are Much Safer Than Conventional Ones The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary: Comparison of Carcinogen Levels Shows that Electronic Cigarettes are Much Safer Than Conventional Ones
5. Safety of exhaled e-cigarette vapor, Health New Zealand: http://www.healthnz.co.nz/ECigsExhaledSmoke.htm
6. Sumner, W (2003), Estimating the health consequences of replacing cigarettes with nicotine inhalers. Tobacco Control 2003;12;124-132 [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]http://www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsacd/cd26/tc/v12n2/124.pdfhttp://www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsacd/cd26/tc/v12n2/124.pdf[/FONT]
[/FONT]

 

[KitKit]

Vocalek you go girl! Nice letter.

 

[TropicalBob]

Excellent letter, Vocalek. Exactly the kind of calm, reasoned approach that has a chance of being read and understood. Glad you're speaking for e-smokers.

Rants are worthless.

 

[Storyspinr]

Well done, Vocalek! I am particularly interested in Cuccinelli's response since he will be taking over as AG on January 16th. If he is on our side, he can solve the problem simply by declaring e cig vapor does not meet the scientific designation of smoke (which is, quite simply, burned plant material....something the e cig vapor most certainly is not).

TB is right: this is a case where honey is going to work much better than vinegar. Hagy appears willing to listen to our side (something most government bureaucrats won't do). I will soon learn HOW much he is willing, as I will be contacting him either by email or by phone. I'm arming myself with as much data as I can, from as many different sources as possible, although I will be concentrating on debunking the FDA press release and the (non)impact of e cig vapor on bystanders, as that is their main concern.

Mac, your listing the ingredients of e cig liquid is very helpful. Comparing them with tobacco is fascinating (how long did it take you to type that???), but probably won't help much with Hagy since his concern is "secondhand vapor"; he could care less, when you get down to it, how much safer e cigs are for smokers...he only wants to uphold the law as he sees it (aided by the acting AG, who came up with a creative designation of "smoke"...vapor containing chemicals).

 

[oldlady]

Thank you all so much for pursuing this. I, for one, will feel very proud on January 17, when Virginia proves to be a state that still leaves some room for common sense in governance!

Some anecdotal evidence to support Vocalek's wise observation:

Today my sister and her friends went out to lunch at a restaurant in Warrenton, VA. One of the members of the party did not know about the ban. When she pulled out a cigarette, the waitress told her that smoking is no longer permitted. My sister asked about using an electronic cigarette. The waitress had never heard of vaping and was very interested. After my sister showed off her KR808-D1, the waitress said that would be fine.

My sister's friends ordered starter kits this afternoon. Moroever, so did some of the waitresses at that restaurant!

As you all know, as a political scientist, I wholeheartedly buy into "state capture" theories. After three years of sales all over the world and NO reported side effects or negative consequences, the e-cig is reaching a critical mass phase, in which sales can be expected to explode! Big pharma, Big tobacco and individual states all have a direct self-interest in squashing this market now, before it is too late!

 

[Storyspinr]

I tried to call Gary Hagy today, but he is out of the office until Monday. Will try again next week.

 

[Mac]

Yahoo mail is finally back. Text of email sent Tuesday night. I borrowed an important idea from one of Kristin's messages (sending us out to the smoking area endangers out health.) Note, "district37" is the email address for Sen. Cuccinelli. Wonder how often Mr. Hagy receives an email with footnotes....

You are an asset to our cause. Thank you for your effort.